Almost every American has heard of marijuana and its many nicknames such as weed, MJ, Mary Jane, cannabis, etc. “Nearly 100 million Americans use marijuana. » (“About Marijuana”) NORML, an organization that advocates changing marijuana laws, states: “Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America, behind alcohol and tobacco. » ("About Marijuana.") If so many people use it, why hasn't it been legalized? Some would say it should remain illegal because it harms people and society. To some extent this can be hurtful to people and harmful to society by creating overeaters and soft-hearted couch bums; however, marijuana itself has never been shown to kill anyone. It's like alcohol and tobacco. This has been a controversial topic for many years. Government leaders have debated its therapeutic use and impact on society. Some strongly believe that it should be legalized for recreational and medicinal purposes, others are against legalization, still others believe that its decriminalization should be sufficient, and the rest believe that it should be used strictly for recreational and medicinal purposes. medical. Many states are moving toward legalizing medical marijuana, while a few have voted to legalize it and make revenue from it. Marijuana legalization should be up to the people. Decriminalizing it does not seem to be enough. This means that marijuana would still be illegal, but the consequences of its use would not be criminal. This always leads to corruption, drug cartels, the black market and the denial of the right to make choices. If people want it legalized, the government should legalize it and regulate it like alcohol and tobacco. Benefits of legalization would help Unity...... middle of paper ...... You want to legalize marijuana. " Rolling Stone. June 27, 2013: n. page. Web. October 28, 2013. .Messamore, Wesley. “This Cartoon Proves Why It's Time to Legalize Marijuana in America." PolicyMic Network Inc, October 13, 2013. Web, " Organized Crime and Prohibition.” Web November 12, 2013. “Pennsylvania Policy Project, September 17, 2013. Web October 22.. 2013.